Cigarette-case.



L. POTTER. OIGARETTE CASE. APPLIOATIQN FILED MAY 23, 1914.

1,133,745. dMar.30,1

l/VI/E/VTOB 16.0 Fairer ATTORNEY LEO PUTD'IER, OFNE'W' YQRK, N. 33.,ASSIGNOR TO EMIL LPOTTEH, OF NEW YQRK, N. Y.-

CIGARETTE-CASE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented l'llar. $9, 31915.

Application filed May 23, 1914. Serial No. 840,428.

relates to cigarette cases, Cl'l cases which have a mg the cigarettes,and its pose is to provide a device of simple on, which can bemanufactured at inbi; very easily. ereuce 13 to be had to theaccompanymg rawinsgs, in which- Figure 1 a. vertical section of thecigarette case in the open position, taken on line 29 11 of Fig. 2; Fig.2 is a vertical section on line 2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 8 is a horizontalsection on line 3-3 of Fig. 1; Figs. 4: and 5 are partial cross sectionstaken on lines 11 and respectively of Fig. 2, both views 5 being on anenlarged scale; and Fig. .6 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but with thecase in the closed position.

The case comprises two lids or covers A, B, hinged together at one edgein the usual manner and adapted to be held in the closed position by asuitable catch C provided at the opposite edge. The lids A, B arepreferably made with ribs or bezels A, B extending continuously alongthe four edges. At the side adjacent to the hinge of the case, theseribs A, B have extensions or tongues which are curled outward so as toform eyes A, B, shown best in Fig. 5.

Between the two lids A, B, I provide a holder preferably composed of acentral wall D and side members E, F, said wall and members beingconnected only at their lower portions in any suitable manner, forinstance by rivets (l. The side members are preferably corrugated so asto form seats or pocketsior the individual cigarettes, and are alsopreferably slightly elastic with a tendency tospring' inward so as tofirmly hold the cigarettes. The lower portions of the side members areformed with extensions E, F, bout outwardly in opposite directions, thandownwardly and slightly inwardly so as to form a shoe adapted to cmbracethe ribs A, B adjacent to the hinge. On each extension or shoe portionE, F

an eye E", F" is formed by bending out a narrowstrip or tongue andcurling this strip to the shape desired. The holder is connected withthe case in the following manner: A flexible wire H extending lengthowise of the hinge, is slipped through each of the eyes E, F" of theholder, and the ends of these wires are inserted into the eyes A, B ofthe respective ribs or bezels A, B. The holder is thus securely fastenedto 6 the case.

It will be seen that the wires H assume a different position or shape,according to whether the cigarette-case is open or closed; in the lattercase, they are nearly straight, as shown in Fig. 6, while in the openposition shown in the other figures, their ends have moved apart, (seeFig. 3) while their central portions remain at the same distance fromeach other.

Any suitable spring may be provided for throwing the case open when thecatch 0 is released. I prefer however to have the wires H perform thisfunction by making them of spring wire of sullicient stiffness andgiving them a normal shape corresponding approximately to that whichthey assume when the case is fully opened. By

normal shape 1 mean the shape which the wires assume when left tothemselves and 5 not restrained by any connection, that is to say, theshape which the wires have before being fitted into the case. w hen thecase is open (Figs. 1 and 3), the springs are under a minimum tension,that is to say, they are approximatel in the position which they aregiven be ore being put in the case; as

the case is being closed, the springs are put under a progressivelyincreasing); tension by flexing them or rather straightening them outagainst their elasticity until. they finally assume the position ofmaximum tensionwhen the case is fully closed as in Fig. (3.

The springs will throw the case open as soon as the catch C is depressedor released. 10

Owing to the fact that the spring wires ll press with equal forceagainst both sides of the holder, this latter will always be kept in acentral position relatively to the lids A, B. The shoe formed by thelower portions E, F of the holder members E, l*

embraces the ribs or bczols A, B adjacent to the hinge, thus limitingthe opening movement of the case, as shown in Figs. 1

and 4. The spring wires H also keep the 1m shoe in contact With theedges of the heze'ls so as to give the holder a good support on thelids.

My improved construction does away with the necessity of securing thecentral holder to the hinge of the case. The cost of manufacture is thusreduced considerably I for the reason that such a case need not bemanufactured so accurately as if the holder were secured'to the hinge ofthe case.

While I have shown in the drawings a holder adapted to contain tencigarettes in two rows, 1 do not wish to limit myself to tliisparticular arrangement. In this respect, as in the construction oi thecase, various modifications may be made without departing from thenature of my invention as set forth in the appended claims. By suitablychoosing the dimensions, the case may be adapted to hold articles otherthan cigarettes.

I claim:

1. A case of the character described comprising a pair of hinged lidsprovided with transverse ribs or bezels adjacent to the hinge, tic meanssecuring said holder to said ribs and tending to swing the lids apart.

2. A case of the character described comprising a pair of hinged lidsprovided with j transverse ribs or bezels adjacent to the hinge, aholder within said case, and flexible means for securing the holder tosaid ribs.

3. A case of the character described comprising a pair of hinged lids, aholder within said case, and flexible Wires extending lengthwise of thehinge the central portions of said wires engaging the holder, while aholder within said case, and elas- 5. A case of the character describedcom-1 prising a pair of hinged lids, aholder with in said case, flexiblewires connecting said holder with said lids, the central portions ofeach wire engagingv one of the members connected by such wires, and theend portions engaging the other member.

6. A case of the character described com prising a pair of hinged lidsprovided with transverse ribs or hezels adjacent ,to the hinge, eyesformed on saidribs, a holder within said case, eyes formed on saidholder, and flexible wires extending through the eyes of the ribs andthe eyes of the holder.

'7. A case of the character described comprising a pair of hinged lids,eyes formed on said lids at a distance from the hinge, a holder Withinsaid holder at a distance from the hinge, and flexible wires extendingthrough. the eyes of the lids-and the eyes of the holder.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence ofthe subscribmg witnesses.

' LEO POTTER. Witnesses E. R. hnnnnnrcn, WM. Arrn.

said case, eyes formed on.

